All-day music and jazz-funk

A NEW all-day, multi-venue music event topped off by Newcastle jazz-funk band King Bee is set to take place across Lerwick on Saturday.

Bop, Stock and Three Smokin’ Venues will open at the Lounge at 1pm with singer-songwriters Arthur Nicholson, Adam Guest and Keirynn Topp.

The music will then move to Da Wheel with full band sets from Big Time Quell and Isaac Webb & The Zets from 4.30pm.

Both events are free but the main evening gig, which features King Bee, Odessa and DJ Brendan Hall at the Legion, is ticketed.

The event is being hosted by local music lovers Lyall Halcrow, Jamie Hatch and Thomas Jones, who took on the Bop Shop premises in Lerwick last year.

“We’re all involved in the Shetland music scene and all really like multiple venue all-dayers like the Shetland Blues Festival and Oxjam used to have,” Lyall said.

“We had King Bee booked for the date and thought why not expand it into an all-dayer across Lerwick. There’s something exciting about spending the day listening to music and wandering between venues.”

King Bee, a seven-piece outfit who have won praise from the likes of BBC 6 Music’s Craig Charles, cite Herbie Hancock, George Duke, Stanley Clarke and James Brown as influences.

“Since the release of their first album they’ve gone from strength to strength and are now a staple on the UK funk festival circuit,” Lyall added.

“They’ve got a thundering energy and a sound which really packs a punch. It’s definitely one for the dancing shoes.”

Tickets for the Legion gig are available now online or on the door on the night.